The Universal War

By Nikhil Dhingra

Nirem was just an ordinary teenager, facing social problems and peer pressure as he struggled to fit into high school. This all quickly changed though, when Nirem was abducted by aliens, sending him into a new life he couldn't even hope to imagine! Since then, Nirem, now known as Garion, has been destined to destroy the evil mastermind of Draktos in order to protect the universe he loves. Jump into this science-fiction tale as Nirem embarks on a quest like no other, and not only matures throughout his journey but also finds out secrets about the universe that will rock him to his core!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nikhil Dhingra
• Release date: Jun 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476472928

Nikhil Dhingra

I like to play basketball, videogames, and hang out with friends. I currently write for Say What! Online and edit (editor-in-training) for Polyphony. My goal is to one day get recognized by a real publisher who could publish my book on a hardcover back, and I continue to search for the publisher that would accept my book: The Universal War.

Book preview

The Universal War

Nikhil Dhingra

Copyright 2012 by Nikhil Dhingra

Smashwords Edition

This book is dedicated to the creators of

Badguy Goodguy

Thanks for the inspiration

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Draktos Lives!

2. Garion, The Gatekeeper

3. The Daring Escape

4. Finding a Comrade

5. One Step At A Time

6. Negotiations

7. The Answers

8. The Battle At Jupiter

9. It Has All Just Begun

10. The Secret Is Out

11. Back To The Basics

12. The Plan Unfolds

13. The Darkness Rises

14. No Way Out

15. More Bad News

16. Uncovering The Sinister Plot

17. You’re Under Arrest

18. The Master Plan Launches

19. Draktos’ Secret

20. The End Of Garion?

About The Author

Preface

They say Draktos was one of the first beings who ever existed. He used to be a God of Light until he accidentally released the darkness into the containment chamber where he was raised. His power was too strong and uncontrollable, as he was only a baby back then. Thus the shadows were born. Since the damage was irreversible, Draktos’s dad made a decision that Draktos would only be allowed to stay on a remote side of space, which he named the Dark Dimension. Today though, Draktos would escape.

Chapter 1: Draktos Lives!

Nirem sighed, glancing down at his watch.

It’s 2:15 p.m. already? Time for science.

Nirem, walking down the hallways towards the science room, reflected on his horrible life.

Nirem was the top student in his class and considered a teacher’s pet by all of his classmates. Now you probably would think this is a good thing, but not at Steven Park Middle School. Being only a 5’6 junior, with a very skinny build (his dark black hair hiding his sensitive skull), glasses, and a very plaid and boring shirt that stood out from the rest of his classmates, Nirem wasn’t treated well. People bullied him, made fun of him, and even shot rubber bands at him when teachers weren't looking just because he was smart. Today though, everything was about to change.

When Nirem and his fellow juniors arrived at science class, the teacher, Dr. Evanston, was waiting patiently for them at the door. He greeted each student individually as they walked into the classroom.

Four large, rectangular tables with metal legs formed two rows. There was a big stainless steel sink in the corner of the room that had a shower head; a giant periodic table was taped to the wall above it. A fifth table was centered at the head of the classroom—presumably the teacher’s because of the messy stacks of paper on top of it. The items that caught most of the students’ eyes, however, were the various glass test tubes filled with different colored solution that stood upright in wire holders on each of the tables.

Before the students even got seated, Dr. Evanston, eager to introduce them to their new subject, closed the classroom door and got started.

       Now class, today we are going to mix some chemicals and see what you can create. Your main goal here is to create the most unique compound, try to make something no one else has made in your class. Get in your seats quickly, class. Let’s get started!

The children hurried to find seats and immediately began rummaging through their backpacks for their science books. Dr. Evanston seemed unusually excited and they didn't want to disappoint him in any way.

       Turn to page fifteen of your science manual and follow the steps on mixing chemicals. Be careful and make sure to follow the instructions, the teacher warned. I had almost forgotten about this project. It’s a good thing one of the students reminded me about it.

Dr. Evanston started walking through the classroom to make sure that the students were correctly following his instructions. When he reached Nirem’s table, he noticed he was slumping down in his chair. Little did he know, Nirem had just been hit in the back of his head by a flying rubber band.

Dr. Evanston was a bit surprised to see Nirem all slumped down like that. Nirem was one of his best students. In fact, he not only could make any creation that Dr. Evanston would invent, he also helped Dr. Evanston come up with entirely new concoctions that always produced amazing results. Dr. Evanston was convinced that Nirem could one day be a great inventor and make new discoveries.

When Nirem realized Dr. Evanston was looking down at him, he quickly sat up and began to work on the task at hand. At the same time, he nonchalantly twisted his body toward Dr. Evanston so the teacher couldn't see his back covered with red marks from the rubber bands. Dr. Evanston sensed something was wrong but understood Nirem didn't want to call any attention to whatever it was. He moved on to the next table.

Nirem was relieved that Dr. Evanston didn't say anything to him, but he was fuming inside. He knew that Quishow was the culprit. Quishow was the leader of the rubber-band shooting army. He organized an army of people to shoot rubber bands at Nirem everyday. Quishow was the one who started it to begin with. He always started it. If he forgot though, his right-hand man, Max, would remind him. Sometimes, Max actually protected Nirem from the rubber bands when he realized just how much Nirem got picked on. Of course, Max couldn't let Quishow know this, so he stayed quiet when Quishow was around.

Only ten minutes remained until the bell would ring.

       Now, let’s see what you’ve done so far, Dr. Evanston announced. How about Max and Quishow? Why don’t you show the class your findings?

Both boys groaned at the same time but stood up to present their results. Quishow started reading the steps from the manual aloud while Quishow demonstrated with the test tubes. Max took the lead in explaining the results of their mixture.

...

       Hey, watch it!

       What’s the big idea?

       Hey, punk, get off the road!

But Draktos just kept walking. As he approached Steven Park Middle School, the smirk on his face just grew bigger and bigger.

...

Back in the science lab, Dr. Evanston was ready to call up more volunteers to show their creation.

       Now, class, would anyone else like to share their....

The door was kicked open before Dr. Evanston could finish his sentence.

       How did our janitor manage to kick down the freaking door? one of the students asked.

       I shall resolve this conflict, students.

Dr. Evanston approached the janitor.

       What seems to be the problem, Harold?

       You.

The janitor grabbed Dr. Evanston by the neck, and started to choke him, sucking out all of the life from his small, bony body faster then any of the students could comprehend.

Hey, cut it out!

One of the students attempted to stop him, but as he approached the janitor, he was blown away by some sort of dark energy blast, knocking him towards the edge of the room. With that blast, the entire class froze.

Woah, Max barely made out.

Dr. Evanston’s time was running out, but the students refused to intervene. They were too afraid of the school’s janitor. He gasped for breath, but his old lungs died out, and then his pulse was gone.

The janitor threw Dr. Evanston to the ground. He stared at Dr. Evanston for a while, then he suddenly stared into the class of students. Specifically at Nirem. Harold then dropped to the floor, seeming to almost immediately lose all sort of life that the 60 year old brittle man in his 30 year old janitor’s suit seemed to even have. Before the students could even react Dr. Evanston woke up.

       Stay calm students, let’s get back to work, Dr. Evanston said calmly, as if the whole event never even happened.

       Back to work, Nirem exclaimed. Back to work? How the hell do you expect us to get back to work after that...that...that scene just unfolded out right in front of us?!

       I said get back to work, Dr. Evanston said in a strange tone. Now Nirem, would you like to present your experiment to the class?

Nirem started to back away slowly, realizing that before the janitor dropped dead he stared directly at him.

       I said, would you like to present your experiment to the class?

At that moment, a blood curdling scream ripped through Dr. Evanston’s body. A bright light started penetrating through his flesh and bones, ripping him into millions of tiny atoms. Almost immediately, he disappeared.

When the bright light cleared, the children slowly opened their eyes and looked toward the front of the room where Dr. Evanston had been. Instead, there stood a black-skinned man, with no legs, wearing a long, black cape. The cape was draped over his face, making it difficult to see what he really looked like.

He pointed at Nirem. You are The Gatekeeper! he said solemnly.

Nirem, ignoring the comment, was mostly worried about the safety of his classmates. Catching his breath, he knew he had to get his classmates out of there.

Run, everybody! he cried.

With that, he grabbed a few of their arms and led the way out of the classroom, trying to ensure their safety before this curious demon took hold of them. Everyone ran except Quishow.

       Let‟s go! Nirem snapped at him.

But all Quishow did was stare back, as the beast slowly moved closer and closer to him.

Nirem, fearing his own safety and not that of his school bully’s, left Quishow to deal with whatever that thing was as he ran through the dark school hallways, fearful for his own life. He mostly feared for his purpose in all of this; that thing called him The Gatekeeper or something. What was that all about?

Maybe he has the wrong guy, Nirem hopefully thought.

After about a half block of running frantically through the confused streets of Manhattan, the beast seemed to be out of sight.

       He’s gone, Nirem panted to the students following close behind him. He’s finally gone.

But the beast followed close behind, not letting Nirem out of his reach. Right as it was about to catch him, a flying saucer appeared out of nowhere.

Looking up, Nirem recollected every spaceship sighting he had ever seen reported, the UFO shaped exactly like them. It seemed to have a circular shape and was made completely out of metal. On the top of the circle was what appeared to be a small dome which acted like the cockpit’s station. Shaped exactly like the UFO’s Nirem used to watch, Nirem stared up in awe.

Shocked, Nirem looked up as it hovered directly above him. After seeing a bright, green beam hover above him, the UFO sucked him up. Nirem then collapsed out of stress into an unconscious state.

Chapter 2: Garion, The Gatekeeper

Nirem shot up out of his seat as he jolted awake, his vision blurred from the sudden consciousness that occurred in his brain. It was much to Nirem’s distress, though, that he was chained to whatever holding place he was in.

Looking around the room, Nirem noticed he was surrounded by what appeared to be actual aliens with thick strands of orange and green strings hanging all over them. He was strapped into a machine with his head under a steel metal cap. Nirem was terrified. He pinched himself, wondering if—hoping—that it was all a dream.

       This is not a dream, Garion, a voice whispered.

       Who’s Garion? Nirem asked, in complete shock and confusion.

       It is you, the voice replied. The voice called to another one of the aliens. Push the button, it instructed.

Nirem heard a click and then at first started to feel a tingly feeling. Next thing he knew his whole body started to slowly be enveloped in something that felt like an old, wrinkly coat. Then Nirem looked down at his skin in shock. The same tentacles on all of these aliens were growing around Nirem’s skin, eating away his old body in the place of a new one. The tentacles grew on like a plant, leeching onto Nirem’s skin as it became him, turning his whole body into an extraterrestrial being.

       What are you doing to me?! Nirem demanded.

But the man just stood there and watched.

Nirem felt strands of orange and green strings swarming all over him and actually growing out of his skin. He screamed but no one was there to help him. The strings then slowly started to envelop his face. Afterwards, everything suddenly started to go black....

Eventually he came to. Dazed, he immediately recognized he was still in the nightmare. He couldn't move.

What did you do to me?! Nirem demanded.

The alien spoke again in a deep and what appeared to be male voice, We have just revealed who you are. Now let me explain to you what is going on.

Nirem wasn't so sure he wanted to know. He just wanted to go home. The alien then stepped out from his dark corner of the room, revealing his true identity.

He too, was covered in this sort of colored string, from head to toe. Though his basic human features were still visible, making him different from Nirem and, Nirem thought, everyone else on this planet.

       I guess that’s how these...things are told apart, Nirem thought, but the real question is: What are these things?

       I’m just going to cut to the chase here, because we don’t have much time, it sighed. There is life on every planet. Humans just haven’t figured it out yet. We are some of the creatures from that other life form. Draktos, the person chasing you, was from the Dark Dimension that is filled with villains from around the galaxy.

       What did he mean when he said that I am The Gatekeeper? asked Nirem, noting the fast pace the alien was moving at and mostly scared for his life.

He just wanted some information, so he did whatever it took to keep up with this strange creature to grasp hold of the fact on what was going on.

       You are the Gatekeeper, the alien stated. It says so in the Prophecy.

       What Prophecy? Nirem asked, confused.

The alien continued, In the Prophecy given to us by our all powerful God, Shabithi. Well, he didn’t exactly explain it in black and white, though.

What do you mean?

Shabithi sent us a coded message long ago, back when Mars was first being formed and its civilization being brought up together. For millennia we have tried to decode it, but have only understood a few words that were already put in our language for us....

Does your language happen to be English?

"No, Bujan. Now, as I was saying, the only words that were in Bujan were: To end the reign of the shadows, to restore peace to the once peaceful, you must find the truth behind the message enclosed. You must unlock its secrets, its treasures, its belongings. You must find The Gatekeeper. You must find Garion.

So how did you assume I was Garion?

A DNA sample was attached. And what also gave it away was Draktos chasing after you on Earth, since Draktos hasn’t visited Earth in over 1,000 years. Since we have obtained the DNA sample, we have scoured the universe and back, trying to find you. We knew we had to destroy Draktos and his shadows.

Nirem gasped at this newfound information. All of those facts just presented, they undoubtedly lead to the conclusion that Nirem was in fact this all powerful chosen one! This had to definitively prove it! He couldn’t deal with this realization though, not just yet. The thought of being an all-powerful savior of the universe hit him too hard, so he tried to make up excuses for himself.

That couldn’t be, Nirem tried to comprehend inside his mind, I’m just a normal kid. I didn’t do anything that could have landed me this fate. Why me?!

Struggling to get back into focus, Garion asked, The shadows?

Draktos’ minions. They are forced, for their sins, to eternally serve Draktos in the afterlife. He controls them in every sense of the word, using their lives as a day planner. If any shadow tries to escape, they are dead within the instant.

Wait, so why didn’t this ‘Shabithi’ just tell you where to find me, if I’m even the right person? Garion asked with a hint of hope.

"We’re not exactly sure. We think it’s because, not only were you not alive yet, but he wanted to, in a way, have you find us. Obviously, Shabithi somehow knew that we would inform you of your fate, but I guess Shabithi wanted you to find out your own Prophecy. He wanted you to do the hunting for your true purpose, not for the fun to be spoiled. I guess that’s also why the Gatekeeper is human. After all, humans are